Polonnaruwa monkeys really steal phones and bags how careful do I need to be

Real, daily, and the macaques are seasoned thieves. Polonnaruwa is home to a famous troop of toque macaques (subjects of the BBC "Monkey Kingdom" documentary) and they have become very effective at lifting unattended items from tourists, especially around Gal Vihara, the Quadrangle, and the Royal Palace. They specifically target phones, sunglasses, water bottles, snacks, and small bags. Rules: do NOT leave anything in your bicycle basket while you walk into a ruin, the basket is the easiest theft target. Carry valuables on your body, zipped inside a closed shoulder bag with the strap diagonal. Do not eat snacks visibly anywhere in the site. Never try to take a stolen item back from a monkey, they are strong and will bite. If a monkey approaches and stares, look down and walk on calmly, no eye contact and no sudden movements. Site staff sometimes shake a stick to scatter them.